Public meetings and public hearings will be the topic of the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association’s luncheon meeting and seminar on Aug. 9 at the Publick House in Sturbridge.

Local officials are also invited to this meeting, as municipalities hold a large number of meetings and hearings, and there have been many changes over the past few years that impact this practice area.

This program will provide the latest information, practitioners’ points, and resources on open meeting law compliance when preparing and implementing agendas, town meeting warrants and procedures, and public hearings. The program will cover potential personal liability claims against municipal officials and private citizens, and how to avoid such, with a focus on civil rights, defamation and invasion of privacy claims.

The program will explain the applicable laws governing public hearings for land use regulation by planning and zoning boards and conservation commissions, alcoholic beverages violations, vicious or nuisance dogs, and boards of health.

Lunch will begin at 11:45 a.m., followed by an awards ceremony at 12:50 p.m.

The seminar will begin at 1:15 with the session “Agendas: Preparation and Compliance for Councils, Boards of Selectmen and other Boards and Commissions,” led by attorney Lauren Goldberg of KP Law, which will run to 2 p.m.

“Town Meeting Warrants and Procedures with Articles and Motions,” led by Goldberg, Medway Town Moderator Mark Cerel, and Kathleen Colleary of the Division of Local Services, will run from 2 to 2:45 p.m.

Attorney Robert Ritchie and Hull Town Counsel James Lampke, executive director of the MMLA, will lead “Public Hearings Overview” from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m.

Attorney John Davis of Pierce, Davis & Perritano will lead “Potential Personal Liability for Municipal Officials and Private Citizens” from 3:30 to 4 p.m.

“Specific Types of Hearings: Land Use, Planning Boards, ZBA, SPGA, and ConCom” will run from 4 to 4:45 p.m., led by attorney Gregor McGregor of McGregor & Legere.

Attorney Ivria Glass Fried of Miyares & Harrington and Franklin and Medfield Town Counsel Mark Cerel will lead “Hearings on Alcoholic Beverages, Vicious/Nuisance Dogs, and Boards of Health” from 4:45 to 5:30 p.m.

This event will feature a luncheon buffet followed by the program. The fee of $100 (or $80 if two or more from the same community attend) includes lunch, program and electronic materials. To attend the program only, the fee is $60. MMA members may attend at the member rate.

For more information or to register, contact MMLA Executive Director James Lampke at 781-749-9922 or jlampke@massmunilaw.org or visit www.massmunilaw.org.

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